Lunyu XI. 23. (290)

Yen Yûan's attachment to Confucius, and confidence in his mission.
The Master was put in fear in K'wang and Yen Yûan fell behind. The Master, on his rejoining him, said, "I thought you had died." Hûi replied, "While you were alive, how should I presume to die?"

Legge XI.22.

When the Master was under siege in K'uang, Yen Yuan fell behind. The Master said, 'I thought you had met your death.' 'While you, Master, are alive, how would I dare die?'